5 comments:

One flaw in this is that the 4.9 meter sling shot is assuming it is on Earth when the article earlier points out that this is all occurring in a vacuum and so can't be happening on Earth. Perhaps by measuring some common object in the back ground of some scenes the scale could be determined, and from that gravity could be determined...

Only checking on one bird type is a problem too. Are the physics the same for the other birds?

No, no, they measured the downward rate of acceleration, and from that, knowing the force of Earth's gravity, they could convert the AB scale length into meters. It's true that there's no air resistance component, but there's no reason it can't be on Earth.

And yes, they did a whole series (see the links at the bottom) including the yellow bird's supercharge acceleration.

Shadowfax

About me: I am an ER physician and administrator living in the Pacific Northwest. I live with my wife and four kids. Various other interests include Shorin-ryu karate, general aviation, Irish music, Apple computers, and progressive politics. My kids do their best to ensure that I have little time to pursue these hobbies.

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